Totally agree. I like to try and keep water and some quick snacks handy (ie not in the pack) whenever possible. And items like a map, compass or anything else which requires quick or ready access. It is a real pain to have to take a pack off and on to get access to something simple.

In cold weather people often just want to plod on, and if its wet no one likes to open up their pack, so having ready access is ideal.

When its hot weather, I've noticed that everyone drinks more water if they can quickly swig from a bottle which they have ready access to, rather than have to access a pack. I often keep a bottle for ready access, and a more in reserve in the pack.

Great examples of scenarios when you would be seperated from your pack, or simply wouldn't want to take your pack off your back, gang!

Here's another: When I hike with my son and/or the Beaver Scouts, somebody always seems to need a bandaid or hand sanitizing. I don't want to stop and open my pack for their tiny boo boos and oopsies, so I always keep a small FAK and mini purelle on my belt or in a pocket, along with a water bottle in a cargo pocket or fanny pack.

I guess first I have my EDC, which goes with me everywhere, in town, in the house, on hikes. When motoring around town I usually add my bail-out bag at least to the car, if I'm not outright carrying it. Tons and tons of stuff in that bag.

When I'm hiking, I suppliment (not replace) my EDC with a mini PSK in my pocket. And also with lots of survival stuff in my backpack. LOTS of stuff. I am certainly NOT an "ultra light hiker"!

My EDC is knife, flashlight, handgun, spare mag, watch, wallet and cellphone. These items will ALWAYS be on me. EVERYWHERE.

When I go hiking, etc., the mini PSK gets added to my pocket. It's an Altoids tin stuffed/wrapped with all kinds of stuff. I decided what to put in it based on these ETS forums. The most critical ingredients in the mini PSK are signaling, firestarting, paracord, duct tape type stuff. I don't need to list the specifics - they are the standard things that everybody here can spit out in alphabetical and reverse-alphabetical order in their sleep. I guess also "on me" when hiking will be sunglasses and a hat.

Everything else, I carry in a bag or backpack. And in theory could become seperated from.

It varies. I use my flashlight, SAK, or Wave on an almost daily basis. On the other hand, I have never used the whistle on my key chain. I rarely have to resort to my emergency cash, but it is there just in case.

I could have written that same sentence!

_________________________
The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng

Sorry BacPacJac, I didn't follow through on your excellent suggestion. I will try to get some pics up soon. BTW, shouldn't this thread be in a different sub-forum, since The Campfire is "A place for Chit Chat about life or subjects of interest other than Survival or Emergency Preparedness"?

Originally Posted By: hikermor

But I have never understood losing your pack when hiking in the wilds. It just shouldn't happen

A couple of real-world incidents:

- This guy had his pack stripped off of him in an avalanche. The promo I linked shows this 'dramatically' but if you watch the episode, he specifically describes losing his pack in the event, and he had almost no gear on his person.

- My Wilderness EMT instructor works seasonally for a group that does jungle expeditions. His boss was on one such expedition in the Amazon when he needed to step into the bush for '#2 time'. He left his backpack with the group, went off-trail for a ways to take care of business... and became completely disoriented. He wound up being lost in the jungle with almost no gear for 3 days. Miraculously while wandering around he bumped into a military group and they saved him, no joke. Company policy now calls for a simple belt system with a survival pouch & water bottle attached. If you leave the pack, the belt rig must be on you. This goes for everyone on the trip, both employees and clients.

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